1947 Map of Sand Dunes

About this map

The Snake River corridor defines this portion of the Idaho high desert, where the waters are held by the C J Strike Reservoir. This 1947 survey, later updated with photorevisions, illustrates the complex topography where the river channel winds past Wilkins Island and under the shadow of Flatiron Butte. The landscape is a study in contrasts, from the riparian margins near Barber Cabin to the expansive Sand Dunes and the sheltered basin of Eagle Cove. Drainages like Browns Gulch and Waterhouse Gulch cut through the high ground, while Rattlesnake Sprs and Rattlesnake Creek provide seasonal water sources in the northern reaches. The map reflects the mid-century intersection of natural desert landforms and significant hydroelectric development along the Elmore and Owyhee county lines.